His career’s gone to the dogs, but that’s how former corporate bankruptcy lawyer Tyler Coulson wants it.

He chucked his lucrative job with a high-powered Chicago law firm in March and set out on a cross-country trek – but not before picking a canine companion from the pound.

The red-haired 18-month-old pup he chose – Mabel – turned out to be his savior the night an angry black bear tried to raid his tent shortly after he kicked off his journey in Delaware.

“The bear was stalking us for about four hours, huffing and stamping its feet. Finally Mabel had enough, she was like, ‘Alright, it’s on buddy,’” said Coulson.

Mighty Mabel scared off the black bear but not before Coulson’s tent got shredded. He and his canine buddy had to walk about 10 miles in freezing rain that night to get to the next town.

Since then, Coulson’s had more trouble fighting loneliness on the road then wild animals.

“If it wasn’t for her, I’d have quit by now, She’s excellent company and likes jokes, but she always gets the timing off on the punchline,” said Coulson, who saved up $5,000 for his trip after deciding last year that corporate law isn’t for him.

He and Mabel spend anywhere from $2 to $12 a day on food, and so far have almost blown through his budget after weather problems forced him into more hotels than he’d planned to use.

Mabel trots alongside him, happier now that she’s been able to ditch the special panniers Coulson initially strapped to her sides so she could carry her own dog food – about four pounds worth a day.

When Coulson arrived last month in his hometown – Griggsville, Illinois – he ordered a light, three-wheeled cart and had it delivered to his parents’ house. Nicknamed “The Pontiac,” it now carries all his sleeping gear and Mabel’s food.

“Mabel now loves #ThePontiac more than me,” Coulson tweeted last week from @ibuildnosystem, where he and Mabel have over 1,000 followers.

Currently in Grinnell, Iowa, about 63 miles west of Iowa City, Coulson hopes that he and Mabel can reach California by October.